US National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Raymond has formed in Pacific south of Mexico

MIAMI - The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Tropical Storm Raymond has formed in the Pacific south of Mexico.

The centre said Raymond had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) early Sunday and was located about 185 miles (300 kms) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. It was moving toward the northwest near 7 mph (11 kph).

Forecasters say Raymond is expected to slowly approach the southern coast of Mexico late Monday or Tuesday and then begin to meander. The centre says Raymond is expected to become a hurricane in the coming 48 hours.

Forecasters warn heavy rainfall is possible along the south-central Mexican coast in coming days and could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Acapulco to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.